Glow discharge device



Aug. 5, 1952 M, A TOWNSEND 2,606,309

GLOW DISCHARGE DEVICE Filed June l5, 1950 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 COMMON ANODEconv/:0 b3 /NPUT i 4Z A 0/ 0 ii l im 00] o 577% @EAD/,ve 0 "9 "a f3@PULSES STOP PULSE COMMON A/VODE M'. A. TOW/VSE' ATTORNEY Aug. 5, 1952 M.A. TowNsEND GLOW DISCHARGE DEVICE 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed June'l, 195o/Nl/E/vro/CP M A. TOW/VSEND A TTOR/VEJ/ Patented Aug. 5, 1952 GLOWDISCHARGE DEVICE Mark A. Townsend, Berkeley Heights, N. J., assignor toBell Telephone Laboratories, Incorporated, New York, N. Y., acorporation of New York kAllmlcitlatinll June 15, 1950, Serial No.168,227

17 Claims. (C1. 315-323) This invention relates to glow dischargedevices and more particularlyto such devices which comprise a pluralityof cold cathodes and are especially suitable for utilization inswitching or translating systems. g n

There are in the prior art v.devices capable of performing the samegeneral types of switching and translating functions as devicesconstructed in accordance with the present invention. Some of suchdevices are punched card translators, relays, groups of conventionalcold cathode or hot cathode triodes or pentodes, and cathode-ray tubes.The arrangements described herein are faster than mechanical orelectromechanical devices and are less complicated than other electronicdevices capable of performing similar functions, especially where codesare used involving numbering systems having a base greater than two.

One general object of this invention is to improve the performance andspeed of operation of translating and switching devices.

Another object is to simplify the construction of electronic translatingand switching devices.

More specific objects of the invention are vto assure stepping of theglow discharge in one direction only along one of a plurality of paths,reduce the number of external connections necessary to cause 'steppingoi the glow discharge from one electrode to another, and lessen 4thenumber of electrodes necessary to electronically perform translating orswitching functions.

A further object of the invention is the improvement of electronictranslating ,and switching apparatus in general.

The invention embodies a cold ucathode glow discharge device havingbranching rows of cathodes therein and an anode common to all thecathodes. The rows begin from an apex and each beginning row is thensubdivided one or more times into two or -more branches. Each cathode isdivided into two-portions having different electron discharge sustainingefliciencies. These different portions are alternately arranged in eachof the rows thus providing a preference with respect to the transfer ofa glow discharge from one cathode to an adjacent cathode. For a moredetailed description of the glow discharge stepping mechanism referenceis made to M. A. Townsend application Serial No. 101,322 filed June 25,1949, now Patent Number 2,575,370, is.- sued November 20, 1951.

The cathodes are interconnected so that a particular series of inputcode pulses will cause the glow discharge to step along from one cathodeto another, following a particular path in accordance with theparticular series of input code pulses. Only every alternate cathodedefining one group, designated as the B group of cathodes, is capable ofreceiving an input pulse, the remaining vcathodes, designated as the Agroup of cathodes and normally biased negatively with respect to the Bgroup of cathodes, being rest cathodes to which a glow discharge willtransfer from the preceding cathode upon termination of the input codepulse which, upon initiation, had caused the glow discharge to transferto the preceding cathode.

In one embodiment of the invention, the selection of the particularbranching rows which a glow discharge traverses is determined by thetime sequence application of a series of input code pulses on aplurality of input conductors each connected to diiferent groups ofcathodes in accordance with the code.

In another embodiment, the selection of the glow discharge path isdetermined by the presetting of switches which are capable ofselectively connecting various groups of the B cathodes to the inputconductor in accordance with a code.

One oi the features of this invention involves branching rows ofcathodes wherein a glow discharge can be stepped along one particular`path to one of a plurality of output-s, in accordance with aparticularseries of input code pulses, the output code pulse beingdetermined by the nal position of the discharge. The number of nalpositions is determined by the number of times each original rowbranches into two or more other rows. In one embodiment of theinvention, two rows of cathodes branch out from an apex and each issubdivided twice again into two more rows so as to form a total of eightrows, corresponding to eight output positions. v

I-n accordance with another feature of the invention, the glow dischargeis ransferred along the branching rows in a particular path to aparticular output position by means of a particular series of input codepulses. A series of stepping pulses is then applied to cause the glowdischarge to step across from row to row until it reaches the last row,at which time a stop voltage pulse is initiated which terminates thestepping pulses. The number of stepping pulses constitutes the outputsignal. This feature is applicable to both embodiments of the inventionmentioned. hereinbefore,

These and other objects and features of the invention will be moreclearly understood from into a decimal code is accomplished byselectingthe path through the tube in of switches;

Fig. 3 illustrates another embodiment: including a three-stage binarydeoodingtube wherein the tube is arranged to produce output pulsesadvance by .means on a single output lead, theA number olf-pulses Ycorresponding to a decimal equivalent of thebinary input information;

Fig. 4 illustrates an embodiment having the same type of output asthatof Fig. '3 but embodying the advance selection of the path by meansof codingv switchesl similarV to the method utilized in Fig. 2; l j m vFig. 5 `is a top view of a two-stagentubexillustrative ofone embodimentof lthis invention Fig. 6 is a perspective view ofthe tube shown in Fg5; .V1.M.

Fig. 'I illustrates one type of cathode that may be used in the tubeVshown in Figs. 5 and 6; and

Fig. 8 illustrates a form of common anode that may be utilized in thedevice.

Referring now to Fig. l the cold cathode gas tube is schematically shownas being comprised of a normalizing cathode N, a plurality of othercathodes divided into a B group of transfer cathodes 'and an A group ofrest cathodesv and arranged in branching rows, andan anode" Iii commonto all the cathodes. Each cathode, such as A0, is divided into twoportions having different glow discharge sustaining eiciencies. The'part having the greater of these eic'iencies is represented by theportion such as I2-and that having th'e lesser is'repre'sented by aportion such as II. This is true of all the cathodes except thenormalizing cathode N which may have but just one electron dischargesustaining eiciency throughout its length. Each row of cathodes iscomposed alternatelyof cathodes from the A and B groups of cathodesbeginning with a cathode from the B group and ending with a cathode fromthe A group. The yA or rest cathodes are arranged in successive stageswith B or transfer cathodes positioned between'these stages.

Cathodes A1, A0, A11, A10, A01 and 'Aooai'e all connected together toground. Cathodes A111, A110, vA101, A100, A011, VA010, A001 and A000 areal1 connected to ground through individual resistances such asresistance I3, they outputvbeing taken from across these resistances.Cathodes B1, B11. B01, B111, B101, B011 and B001 are connectedelectrically to conductor I4. The remaining B cathodes B0, B00, B10,B000, B010, B0100 and B110 are connected electricallyV to conductor I5.Normalizing cathode N is connected to conductor "I5 which is groundedthrough resistance I'I.

The tube is normalized by a negative voltage pulse applied to cathode Nthrough conductor I6, which initiates a glow discharge between cathode Nand the anode I0. The code to be translated, in this instance a binarycode, is applied to the electrodes of the gas tube through conductors I4and I5; the I input being applied to conductor I4 and the 0 input beingapplied to conductor I5. The time sequence of the application of aseries of "I and/or U input pulses determines the nal position of theelectron discharge. Pulses to the I input select the upper of the two Bcathodes in any given branch while pulses to the 0 input select theVVAwer of the two B cathodes in any given branch.

' For example, consider the operation when the binary code pulse |00 issent in, corresponding to the decimal number 4. The starting pulse, at

time t0, initiates a glow discharge between the anode II) and the normalcathode N. At time t1 ya pulse I9 applied .to the I input causestransfer of the vdischarge to the cathode B1 and the release of 'thispulse I9 causes transfer of the discharge to the A1 cathode because uponter- .'minationY of saidpulse, the A1 cathode assumes the .potentialnegative with respect to the B1 cathode and the glow discharge thereupontransfers from the higher eiliciency portion I2 of the cathode B1 to thelower eciency portion II of cathode A1. -The glow discharge willimmediately move over-to-the-greatereciency portion I2 of cathodeA1,'thus placing the lesser 'eiiiciency portions of cathodes B11 and B10in close proximity t o saidl glow discharge. Thefn'ext input pulse2Ijjattime t2 is applied to the input lead I5 andV causes transfer ofthe glow discharge to B10, since the -input pulse is negative and drivescathode B10 negativewith respect to cathode A1. Upon termination ofthefirst-Il input pulse 2I the glow-discharge transfers to cathode A10. Thesecond Il input pulse 20, whichfis the third input pulse. transfersv theglow discharge to cathode A ina similar manner.

In the embodiment of the'inven'tion described above binary coded inputsignals are supplied to either one or the other of two leads I4 or I5.the time sequence of the input pulses determining the final positionreached by the glow discharge. It is also possible to do the decoding byselecting the path through the tube in ad- Vance.` y Fig-2 shows a wayof accomplishing this byA means of switches. The tube construction isthe sam'e as that shown on Fig. 1. However, in Fig. 2 the connections ofthe B group of cathodes B1 and B0 are connected to conductor 25 throughthe resistances 26 and 21 respectively. It is possible to connect eithercathode B1 or B0 to ground through switch S1. Cathodes B11 and B01 andcathodes B10 and B100 are connected to conductor 25 through resistances28 and 29 respectively. Either pair of these .four cathodes may beconnected rdirectly to ground through switch S2. Cathodes B11 and B101,B011, and B001 are connected to conductor 25 through resistanceSl andcathodes B110, 'B100.`B010 and B000 are connected to conductor 25Vthrough resistance 3| and cathodes B110, B100, B010 and B000 areconnected to conductor 25 through resistance'SI. Either of these lattergroups of cathodes may also be connected to lground through switch S3.

The normalizing pulse 24 is applied Vto normalizing cathode Nthroughconductor I6 which is grounded through resistance I1. Itis to benoted that the switches S1, S2 and S3 allow either the lowerqor theupepr of each pair of B cathodes to be grounded- As illustrated in Fig.2, the switches lare in positions which ground cathode Bo in the firststage, B01 and B11 in the second Stage, and B001, B011, B101 and B111 inthethrd stage. This represents the binarylcode |00. The input pulseSli'will cause the glow discharge to transfer Afrom the normalizingcathode N to cathode B1 and upon termination of said first pulse 34.willcause the glow discharge to transfer to cathode A1. The second inputpulse 33 Will cause :cathode Bic to become vnegative with respect tocathode A1 and thus effect a transfer of the glow discharge to cathodeBio, and upon the termination of pulse 33 the glow discharge willtransfer to cathode A10. The third driving pulse 32 will transfer theglow discharge to cathode B100 and thence to cathode A100.

Referring now to Fig. 3, there is shown therein an arrangement wherebythe output pulses are produced on a single output lead said output`corresponding to the decimal equivalent of the binary input codeinformation. The tube can be identical with that shown in Fig. 1 exceptthat ladditional B cathodes b1, b2, ba, b4, b5, be and bi are used inthe nal row. This group of b cathodes is normally biased positively withrespect to the A cath-odes in the final eight positions. normalizinginput pulse 4l is applied to normalizing cathode N through lead I6 whichis grounded through resistance l1. The coded input pulses 42, 44, and 43are applied to different groups of B cathodes through conductors 45 and45. Since the glow discharge is transferred from one A cathode toranother A cathode by the application of a. negative input pulse to a Bcathode positioned thereinbetween in exactly the same way as wasdescribed with respect to Fig. 1, such descriptions of that part of theoperation of the tube illustrated in Fig. 3 will not be repeated.However, the similarity ends when the glow discharge reaches the last Acathode in one of the eight possible rows. In Fig. 1 the output positionis determined by the final row wherein the glow discharge is stepped,whereas in Fig. 3 the output is determined by the number of pulsesapplied to conductor 4G. This number of pulses is determined in thefollowing manner. The input code pulses 42, 44, and 43 cause the glowdischarge to transfer to anode Arco in a manner described hereinbefore.After the glow discharge has reached the last anode A100 a series ofreading pulses such as 41, 48, 49, 50, etc. are applied to conductor 5l.The stepping or reading pulse 5U causes the glow discharge to transferto oathode b4 since portion li of cathode b4 constitutes the onlyportion of all the b group of cathodes close enough to the glowvdischarge to cause it to transfer thereto. Upon termination of readingpulse Sil, cathode b4 will become positive with respect to cathode A011and the glow discharge will transfer to cathode A011. The second readingpulse 49 will cause the glow discharge to transfer to cathode b3 andthence to cathode A010. In a similar manner reading pulses 48 and 41will cause the glow discharge to transfer to the cathode Aoco at whichtime a stop pulse 39 will be transmitted through conductor 52 back tothe source of the reading pulses and will cause a cessation oftransmission of said reading pulses. It will be noted that the number ofreading pulses applied to conductor 40 is determined by the position ofthe glow discharge in the final column of A cathodes.

In Fig. 4 there is shown the same type of output as is shown in Fig. 3combined with the advance selection of the glow discharge path by meansof coding switches S4, S5 and Se. The B cathode input code pulse lead 60serves the dual purposeV of transmitting the input code pulses such as6l, 62 and B3 to the B cathodes as well as transmitting the readingpulses such as 64, 465, 6-6 and 61 to the B pulse signal output. lTheThe switches S4, S5 and Ss are preset to operate in l,the same manner asdescribed with respect to Fig. 2. In Figa pulse 6| is transmittedthrough resistance B8 to advance the glow discharge from normalizingcathode N to cathode A1, pulse 82 through resistance 69 advances theelectron discharge to cathode A10 and pulse 63 transmitted throughresistance 10 advances the glow discharge to c-athode A100. The readingpulses are then transmitted; reading pulses 64 stepping the electrondischarge down to cathode A011 and in a similar manner stepping pulseE5, 66, 61 stepping the electron discharge down to cathode Aoco at whichtime a stopping pulse 1l is transmitted over conductor 12 tc the sourceof the reading pulses to cause cessation of the transmission of saidreading pulses.

In Figs. 5, 6, 7, and 8 there is illustrated one construction of atwo-stage tube. The top view, Fig. 5, illustrates the branching rowsarrangement of the cathodes which are divided into two main groups, theB cathode group and the A cathode group. Normalizing cathode N is theapex of the arrangement. Cathodes Bc and B1 comprise the beginning oftwo main rows, each of which is followed by an A cathode. Each of thesetwo A cathodes if followed by two B cathodes each o-f which forms thebeginning of a new row. Following each of these latter B cathodes isanother A cathode which in the design shown in this drawing constitutethe four final possible positions of electron discharge. Anode i@ iscommon to all of the cathodes.

ln Fig. 6, element l0 is the anode common to all the cathodes. CathcdesBcn and Bc are supported on wire 8i which is in turn supported bylead-in conductor 82. Cathode B10 is supported by conductor 8d. which issecured to conductor 82. Cathodes B01, B1 and B11 are supported onconductors 88, and 93, respectively; the three latter conductors beingin turn supported by conductor 84 and lead-in conductor 9|. ConductorsS3 and 81 support cathodes A0 and A1, respectively. Cathode N issupported by conductor 83. The anode l0 has for its support conductors89 and 9S which are shown only in part.

Fig. '1 shows one of the cathodes used in either the A cr B groups ofcathodes. Portion H has a lesser electron discharge sustaining eciencythan does portion l2 since an electron discharge will normallyconcentrate in a geometric surface such as exemplied by portion l2rather than on the surface embodied in portion Il.

Fig. 8 illustrates the anode which is common to all the cathodes. It maybe constructed of any suitable anode material.

Although the tube construction shown in Figs. 5 and 6 has only twostages therein, it is apparent that a three or four-stage tube can beconstructed merely by adding another row of B cathodes and another rowof A cathodes.

It is to be understood that the form of the invention herewith shown anddescribed, is to be taken as preferred examples of same, that variouschanges in shape, size, arrangement of parts and/or substitution ofcircuit elements may be resorted to, without departing from the spiritor scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A glow discharge device comprising a plurality of cathodes thereinand an anode common to all of said cathodes, said plurality of cathodescomprising an A group of cathodes, a B group of cathodes, and a startercathode, each cathode of said A and B groups of cathodes having agreater and4 al lesserdischarge sustaining efliciency portion,fsaid-Aand YB groups of cathodes arranged in rows beginning froman apex, eachrow comprised of cathodes of said-A and B groups of cathodes alternatelyarranged, each row further having lesser and greater glow dischargeefficiency portions alternatelyarranged therein, said starter cathodecomprising said apex.

2. A glow discharge device comprising a plurality of cathodes arrangedin branching rows, a starter cathode forming the apex of saidbranchingrows, and an anode common to all of said cathodes. each of saidplurality of cathodes comprised of a lesser and agreater glow dischargesustaining efficiency portion alternately arranged in each row. saidplurality of cathodes being divided into an A group of cathodes and a Bgroup of cathodes. cathodes from said A and B groups of cathodes beingalternately arranged in each row, a rst two of saidV rows branching fromsaid apex, each of said first two rows branching into a pair of secondrows, and each of said second rows branching into a pair of third rowsto form eight rows, each of said first, second, and third rows beginningwith a B cathode, and each of said eight rows being terminated by an Acathode. Y

3. A glow discharge device in accordance with claim 2 comprising asecond plurality of cathodes alternately arranged with said terminatingA cathodes so that one of said second plurality of cathodes ispositioned between each two adjacent terminating A cathodes, each ofsaid second plurality of cathodes having a lesser and a greater glowdischarge sustaining efficiency portion, said lesser and greater glowdischarge sustaining eiiiciency portions of said terminating A cathodesand said cathodes of said second plurality of cathodes being alternatelyarranged.

4. Translating means comprising a glow discharge deviceA having aplurality of cathodes therein, each of said cathodes having two portionsof diierent glow discharge sustaining efflciencies, and an anode commonto all saidcathodes, said cathodes" arranged in first branching rowshaving an apex, each of said branching rows comprising second branchingrows, said cathodes being arranged in said rows so that the lesserelciency portions and the greater efficiency portions are alternatelyarranged, said plurality of cathodes being divided into a plurality ofgroups, the rst of said groups being electrically connected together,said cathodes of said rst of said groups being arranged alternately withcathodes of the other of said groups of cathodes in each of saidrowscircuit means to apply input code pulses to said other of saidgroups of cathodes to cause a glow discharge to step from one cathode toanother from said apex, selecting its path along said branching rows ofcathodes in accordance with said input code pulses.

5. Translating means comprising a glow discharge device havingaplurality of cathodes, a starter cathode, and an anode common to all ofsaid cathodes,each of said plurality of cathodes other than said startercathode having two portions of different glow discharge sustainingsiiiciencies, said plurality of cathodes arranged in branching rows withsaid starter cathode at the apex of lsaid branching rows, the lesser`and greater glow discharge sustaining eiciency portions beingalternately arranged in each row, each of said branching rows beingsubdivided into second branching rows, said plurality of cathodes beingdivided into a VB'group of cathodes 'and an A group of cathodes, eachrow of cathodes being composed of cathodes of said A and B groupsalternately arranged, said A group of cathodes being connected together,a circuit means, switch means connecting said B cathodes to-said circuitmeans in accordance with a code, means to initiate a glow dischargebetween said starter cathode and said main anode, means to apply aseries of input pulses to said` circuit means in accordance with saidcode to cause said glow discharge to step along said branching rows in apath in accordance with said code.

6, A translating device comprising a vplurality of cathodes arranged inbranching rows, a starter cathode forming the apex of said branchingrows, and an anode common to all of said cathodes, each of saidplurality of cathodes comprised of lesser and greater glowdischargesustaining emciency portions alternately arranged in each row. saidplurality of cathodes being divided into an A group of cathodes and a Bgroup of cathodes, cathodes from said A and B groups of cathodes beingalternately arranged in each row, said A group of cathodes beingconnected together, each new branching row being started by a B cathode,a rst circuit means for applying a normalizing Vpulseto said startercathode, a rst and second input means, a rst two of said rows branchingfrom said apex, each of said rst two rows branching into a pair of othersecond rows, and each of said second rows branching into a pair of otherthird rows, each of said first, second, and third rows beginning with aB cathode, one each of the pair of the B cathodes starting each new pairof rows being connected to one of said first and second input means, andmeans for applying input pulses in accordance with a code to cause aglow discharge to step from cathode to cathode along a particular path.

7. A translating device comprising a plurality of cathodes arranged inbranching rows, a starter cathode forming the apex of said branchingrows, and an anode common to all of said cathodes, eachyof saidplurality of cathodes composed of lesserV andv greater glow dischargesustaining efficiency portions alternately arranged inV each row,saidplurality vof cathodes being divided into an A group of cathodes anda B group of cathodes, cathodes from said A and B groups of cathodesbeing alternately arranged in each row, said A group of cathodes beingconnected together, each new branching row being started by a B cathode,a first pair of said plurality of rows of cathodes branching from saidapex, each of said rst pair of rows branching into a pair of secondrows, and each of said pair of second rows branching into a pair ofthird rows, a common conductor, each of said rst, second, and third rowsbeginning with a B cathode, each of said B cathodes starting a row beingconnected to said common conductor through a resistance switching meansto selectively conn-ect in accordance with a code either B cathode ofsaid first, second, or third pairs of B cathodes starting a row to apotential adapted to render said B cathodes incapable of causing a glowdischarge to transfer thereto, means for applying input pulses to saidcommon conductor in accordance with said code to cause a glow dischargeto step along the branching rows in a particular path.

V8. A translating device comprising an A group of` cathodes, a B groupof cathodes, a b group of cathodes,l a normalizing cathode, and an anodecommon to all of said cathodes, eachv cathode of said A, B and b groupsof cathodeshaving a greater and a lesser glow discharge sustainingefficiency portion, said A and B groups of cathodes arranged inbranching rows from an apex, said normalizing cathode being positionedat said apex, each row of cathodes being comprised cf cathodes from said'A and B groups of cathodes alternately arrangedgthe greater and lesserglow discharge sustaining eiiiciency portions being alternately arrangedin each row, a first pair of said rows branchingfromsaid apex, each ofsaid first pairs of rows branching into asecond pair of rows, each ofsaid second pairs of rows branching into a third pair of rows to makeeight rows, each of said eight rows of cathodes being terminated by an Acathode, a b cathode positioned between every two adjacent terminating Acathodes, the greater and lesser glow discharge sustaining eiiiciencyportions of said b cathodes and said terminating A cathodes beingalternately arranged, a first circuit meansto initiate a glow dischargebetween said main anode and said starter cathode, first and second inputconductors, a second circuitmeans selectively connecting said B cathodesto said rst and second input conductors in accordance with a code, meansto apply input pulses to said rst and second input conductors inaccordance with the said code to cause a glow discharge to step alongthe branching rows of cathodes in a particular path, a third inputconductor connecting said b catliodes in parallel, means to apply aseries of second pulses to said third input conductor to step said glowdischarge along said terminating A cathodes, and circuit means toterminate said second pulse when said glow discharge reaches apredetermined one of said terminating A cathodes.

9. A translating device comprising an A group of cathodes, a B group ofcathodes, a b group of cathodes, a normalizing cathode, and an anodecommon to all of said cathodes, each cathode oi said A, B, and b groupsof cathodes having a greater and a lesser glow discharge sustainingefciency portion, said A and B groups of cathodes arranged in branchingrows from an apex, said normalizing cathode being positioned at saidapex, each row of cathodes being comprised of cathodes from said A and Bgroups of cathodes alternately arranged, the greater and lesser glowdischarge sustaining eciency portions being alternately arranged in eachrow, a iirst pair of said rows branching from said apex, each of saidfirst pair of rows branching into a second pair of rows, each of saidsecond pair ci rows branching into a third pair of rows to make eightrows, each of said eight rows of cathodes being terminated by an Acathode, a b cathode positioned between each two adjacent terminating Acathodes, the greater and lesser glow discharge sustaining efiiciencyportions of said b cathodes and said terminating A cathodes beingalternately arranged, a common conductor, each B cathode being connectedto said common conductor through a resistance, one said resistanceindividual to each of said B cathodes, a plurality of switches adaptedto selectively connect certain of said B cathodes in accordance with acode to a potential which will render them incapable of causing a glowdischarge to transfer thereto upon application of an input pulsethereto, means for applying input pulses to said common ccni ductor inaccordance with said code to cause said glow discharge to step along thebranching rows in a particular path, a first circuit means forinitiating a glow discharge between said common anode and said startercathode, a second conductor connecting said b cathodes in parallel,means to apply a series of second pulses to said second conductor tostep the glow discharge along said terminating A cathodes, and circuitmeans to terminate said second pulses when said glow discharge reaches apredetermined one of said terminating A cathodes.

10. A glow discharge device comprising a plurality of cathodes arrangedin a branching array, said cathodes comprising a starter cathode at theinitial lpoint of said array, a plurality of stages of rest cathodes inorder in said array each having twice the number of cathodes of thepreceding stage, said plurality of stages including a rst stage of tworest cathodes. alternative transfer cathodes between said startercathode and said first stage of two rest cathodes, and alternativetransfer cathodes between each rest cathode' and two rest cathodes ofthe succeeding stage, and an anode adjacent all of said cathodes.

11. A glow discharge device in accordance with claim 10 wherein onegroup of said alternative transfer cathodes are electrically connectedtogether and the other group of said alternative transfer cathodes areelectrically connected together.

12. A glow discharge device in accordance with claim 10 wherein each ofsaid rest and transfer cathodes has a greater and a lesser dischargesustaining eiiiciency portion, the portion of lesser eiiiciency beingadjacent the preceding cathode in the array.

13. A glow discharge device in accordance with claim 10 wherein aterminating cathode is positioned adjacent each of the rest cathodes inthe last stage of said array.

14. Translating means comprising a glow discharge device having aplurality of cathodes arranged in a branching array, said cathodescoinprising a starter cathode at the initial point of said array, aplurality of stages of rest cathodes in order in said array including a.rst stage oi two rest cathodes, each stage having twice the number ofcathodes of the preceding stage, alternative transfer cathodes betweensaid starter cathode and said first stage of two rest cathodes, andalternative transfer cathodes between each rest cathode and two restcathodes of the succeeding stage, said alternative transfer cathodesbeing electrically connected together in two groups, an anode adjacentall of said cathodes, and circuit means to apply input code pulses tosaid alternative transfer cathodes to cause a glow discharge to stepfrom said starter cathode at the initial point of said array to restcathodes in successive stages, selecting its path in accordance withsaid input code pulses applied to said transfer cathodes.

15. Translating means in accordance with claim 14 wherein each of saidrest cathodes eX- cept those in the last stage in said array isconnected to ground and each of said rest cathodes of said last stage isconnected to ground through a resistance and comprising output meansindividually connected to each of said rest cathodes of said last stage.

16. Translating means comprising a glow discharge device having aplurality of cathodes arranged in a, branching array, said cathodescomprising a starter cathode at the initial point of said array, aplurality of stages of rest cathodes in order in said array including afirst stage oi two rest cathodes, each stage having twice the number ofcathodes of the preceding stage, alternative transfer cathodes betweensaid starter cathode and said iirst stage of two rest cathodes,

and alternative transfer cathodes between each rest cathode and two restcathodes of the succeeding stage, said alternative transfer cathodesbeing electrically connected together in two groups, each of said restand transfer cathodes having a greater and a lesser discharge eiciencyportion, the portion of lesser eiciency being adjacent the precedingcathode in the array, and an anode adjacent all of said cathodes, afirst input means connected to one group of said alternative transfercathodes, a second input means connected to the other group of saidalternative transfer cathodes, means for applying a normalizing pulse tosaid starter cathode, and means to apply input pulses to said rst andsecond input means in accordance with a code to cause the glow dischargeto step from said starter cathode along a particular path.

17. Translating means comprising a glow discharge device having aplurality of cathodes arranged in a branching array. said cathodescomprising a starter cathode at the initial point of said array, aplurality of stages of rest cathodes in order in said array including aiirst stage of two rest cathodes, each stage having twice the number ofcathodes of the preceding stage, alternative transfer cathodes betweensaid starter cathode and said first stage of two rest cathodes, andalternative transfer cathodes between each rest cathode and two restcathodes of the succeeding stage, said alternative transfer cathodesbeing electrically connected together in two groups, each of said restand transfer cathodes having a, greater and a lesser discharge eicencyportion, the portion oflesser eiciency being adjacent the precedingcathode in the array, and an anode adjacent all of said cathodes, acommon conductor, a plurality of resistances connecting said alternativetransfer cathodes to said common conductor, switching means adapted toselectively connect certain of said alternate transfer cathodes inaccordance with a code to a potential which will render them incapableof transferring a glow discharge upon application of an input pulse, andmeans for applying input pulses to said common conductor in accordancewith said code to cause a glow discharge to step from said startercathode at the initial point of said array to rest cathodesin successivestages, selecting its path in accordance with said input code pulsesapplied to said transfer cathodes.

MARK A. TOWNSEND.

No references cited.

